Compilation: Softer and Gentler Metal/Rock
Not necessarily peaceful or happy, but softer and gentler in sound nonetheless.
Notes:
- Parentheses mean a specific rendition of the piece. Any text after the dash is additional information.
- Artists get their own sections when I find at least 5 gentler songs from them.
Covers
- Anthem of the Angels by Breaking Benjamin, Cover by Kevin Staudt
- Ever Dream by Nightwish, Piano Arr. by Dean Kopri
- Fade to Black by Metallica, Cello Arr. by Apocalyptica
- Hurt by Nine Inch Nails, Cover by Johnny Cash
- Hurt by Nine Inch Nails, Bardcore Arr. by Hildegard von Blingin
- Hallowed Be Thy Name by Iron Maiden, Piano Arr. by Alexandre Enoki
- Hallowed Be Thy Name by Iron Maiden, Bardcore Arr. by Algal the Bard
- Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, Cello Arr. by Apocalyptica
- Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones, Bardcore Arr. by Hildegard von Blingin
Apocalyptica
3-4 classically trained cellists who cover metal songs and write their own also produce beautiful instrumental tracks.
- Beautiful (Acoustic) (Live) - Instrumental
- Beyond Time - Instrumental
- Catharsis - Instrumental
- Coma - Instrumental
- Conclusion - Instrumental
- Dead Man's Eyes ft. Franky Perez
- Deathzone - Instrumental
- Dreamer - Instrumental
- Epilogue (Relief) - Instrumental
- Faraway - Instrumental
- Faraway Vol. 2 ft. Linda Sundblad
- Farewell - Instrumental
- Hole In My Soul ft. Franky Perez
- Rise - Instrumental
- Sacra (Acoustic) (Live) - Instrumental
- Sea Song (You Waded Out) ft. Franky Perez
- Ruska - Instrumental
Blind Guardian
Their softer songs have a more medieval-folksy feel to them, and wouldn't be out of place in some tavern in a European-based fantasy.
- A Past and Future Secret
- The Bard's Song (Into the Forest)
- Curse My Name
- Harvest of Sorrow
- Lord of the Rings
- Miracle Machine
- Skalds and Shadows
- War of the Thrones (Acoustic Vers.)
- War of the Thrones (Piano Vers.)
Breaking Benjamin
Softer and less angsty than their usual fare, but could still be considered 'hard'.
Lighter in instruments, but retains a fairly dark tone.
- Breath (Acoustic) (Live)
- Dance with the Devil (Aurora Vers.)
- I Will Not Bow (Acoustic Strings Mix)
- So Cold (Acoustic)
Nightwish
- All the Works of Nature which Adorn the World - The Green - Instrumental
- All the Works of Nature which Adorn the World - Moors - Instrumental
- Angels Fall First
- The Crow, The Owl and the Dove
- Eva
- The Eyes of Sharbat Gula - Instrumental
- Forever Yours
- Imaginaerum - Instrumental
- The Islander
- Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan
- Lanternlight
- Lappi, Pt. I Erämaajärvi
- Lappi, Pt. II Witchdrums
- Lappi, Pt. IV Etiäinen
- Moondance - Instrumental
- Sleeping Sun
- Sleepwalker
- Swanheart
- Sway
- Taikatalvi
- Turn Loose the Mermaids
- Two for Tragedy
- While Your Lips Are Still Red
- While Your Lips Are Still Red (Instrumental)
Oceans of Slumber
- Good Life - Instrumental
- Grace - Instrumental
- The Hanging Tree
- Her in the Distance - Instrumental
- House of the Rising Sun
- Laid to Rest - Instrumental
- Lullaby
- Red Flower
- Salvation
- September (Momentaria) - Instrumental
- The Spring of 21 - Instrumental
- Wayfaring Stranger
Three Days Grace
- Anonymous (Acoustic) (Live)
- Fallen Angel (Acoustic) (Live)
- The Human Race (Atmosphere Vers.) - Instrumental
- Last to Know
- Lost in You (Acoustic) (Live)
- Never too Late (Acoustic)
- The Real You
- Someone to Talk to
- Time that Remains
Unsure if these count as soft and gentle but they're (I think) more palatable to non-rock fans and have a generally more uplifting vibe.
- Get Out Alive
- Life Starts Now
- Lifetime
- Love Me or Leave Me
- Over and Over
- Redemption
- Unbreakable Heart
Within Temptation
- And We Run ft. Xzibit
- Forgiven
- In Perfect Harmony
- The Last Dance
- Memories
- Never-Ending Story
- Our Farewell
- Pale
- Restless
- Somewhere
- The Swan Song
- Utopia ft. Chris Jones
- Whole World is Watching ft. Dave Pirner
X Japan
Misc.
- ain't afraid to die by DIR EN GREY
- The Art of Dying by Lord Belial - Instrumental
- Circle by Slipknot
- Epode by Akercocke
- Eulogy by Crystalic - Instrumental
- Forlorn in Silence by Lord Belial - Instrumental
- Immortal Flame by Grey Heaven Fall - Instrumental
- In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion by Agalloch - Has harsh vocals that mimic biting-cold winds
- Last Heaven by the GazettE
- Mandragore by Godzilla - Instrumental
- The Moor by Opeth - Instrumental
- Musical Death (A Dirge) by Testament - Instrumental
- Patterns in the Ivy by Opeth - Instrumental
- She Only Flies at Night by Abyssos - Instrumental
- Voice of the Soul by Death - Instrumental
- Snuff by Slipknot (Acoustic) (Live)
- Vermillion Pt. 2 by Slipknot